Instead of booking a tour, book a ride on the Yangon Circular Railway. 

“This experience is great if you want to experience first-hand the local culture. There’s no better way to find out more about the everyday life of people in Myanmar than to sit for three and a half hours, in a train, with a bunch of locals,” raves a recent traveller. 

The Circular Railway was built by the British in 1954, to connect Yangon’s rural areas to the city centre. Travelling through all the stations will take you a little over three hours; it’s a slow-moving ride that covers 39 stations over 45.9km. 

What can you expect to see during this time? 

“Old ladies sit peacefully with their plastic baskets, monks in colourful robes stare out of the window, young girls check their plaids and tanaka [yellowish-white cosmetic paste] makeup in small mirrors, children play around and it’s almost impossible not to strike up a conversation with some complete strangers,” writes an observer. “The train becomes a colourful moving market as the journey progresses, at each station vendors rush to the platform... with everything you didn’t know you needed.”

If you have time for some quick stops at several neighbourhoods, download this free Circular Train Guide for brief information on the more interesting towns, and what you can do there. Don’t forget to bring along your camera to capture unique Yangon photos! 

It is recommended that tourists begin and end their Circular Railway journeys at the Yangon Central Railway station, which is the most convenient to get to. 

(Check with your concierge or local host for updated timing advice. Get directions to the Yangon Central Railway Station here—it is just a six-minute walk away—and note that some of the stations along the Circular Railway loop may occasionally be closed for maintenance).

Get directions to Yangon Central Railway Station

Located just ten minutes away from PARKROYAL Yangon, the Bogyoke Aung San Market is one of the most famous places in Yangon and a bona fide tourist attraction. However, this market is still a worthwhile place to visit even if you prefer to stay off the beaten track—with over 2,000 shops selling a wide range of goods, including Myanmar handicrafts and souvenirs, it’s a place for unexpected finds. 

“Buying from these local vendors helps the local economy and ensures you’re bringing home authentic souvenirs from Myanmar,” says a traveller. 

Many travellers head to Bogyoke Aung San Market to purchase a souvenir longyi, a sarong-like sheet of cloth worn by both men and women in Myanmar.

“The [longyi] patterns differ by gender... for men, a thin plaid or woven stripe,” writes a seasoned traveller and blogger, who highly recommends buying and wearing longyis during your time in Myanmar to break the ice with the locals. “For women, anything goes: beautiful, bright batik patterns, traditional woven zigzags called acheiq, stripes, or flowers.”

As for making your way around the Bogyoke Aung San Market, the ground and first floor feature antique shops, while the jewellers congregate near the middle of the market. The remaining areas of the market are where you’ll find the art galleries, handicraft shops, food outlets, and garments. There is also a newer wing of the market where medicines, foodstuffs, and foreign goods are sold.

Get directions to Bogyoke Aung San Market

Guests at PARKROYAL Yangon: if you prefer not to stray too far from the hotel on your final day in Yangon, you can go on a relaxing walkabout in the vicinity instead. 

First, head to the Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop (five minutes from PARKROYAL Yangon) for a highly rated local food experience. Shan cuisine is said to share similarities with Chinese cuisine—Shan noodles are either flat or thick, and served in soup or as a salad flavoured with a tomato-based sauce. Patrons at Aung Mingalar can also tuck into its acclaimed fried dumplings, while watching the crowds go by.

Next, visit the nearby Gallery 65. A stalwart of Yangon’s contemporary art scene, the gallery is known for supporting fresh and progressive works. Respected Burmese artists such as the late Khin Maung Yin—one of the leaders of Yangon’s modern art movements—as well as up-and-coming artistic talents have exhibited their works here. 

Take your time to reflect on the artworks in quiet serenity; the museum is located on the ground floor of an old colonial teak house in a residential neighbourhood.

On your way back, stop at the Nawaday Tharla Gallery and New Zero Art Space, both less than five minutes from PARKROYAL Yangon. 

Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression in Yangon, these galleries help emerging artists to gain exposure. Pursuing a passion in the arts can be challenging in Yangon—the founder of New Zero Art Space himself, artist Aye Ko, was sentenced to three years in prison in 1990. 

“[From] 1990 to 93, every artist [in Myanmar] felt the same thing—no power,” Ko recounts in an interview. “Prison was difficult to survive. I did a lot of sitting meditation. I ‘went inside,’ because I had nothing; I needed to concentrate my mind.” 

Yet, he has soldiered on with his artistic efforts upon his release. “Modern art is a liberation,” he says. Inspiring words to take away with you as you head back home.

Get directions to Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle Shop
Get directions to Gallery 65
Get directions to Nawaday Tharla Gallery
Get directions to New Zero Art Space

Welcome to Yangon! Located near Yangon’s city centre, PARKROYAL Yangon is the ideal starting point for travellers who want the best of both worlds: a luxuriously peaceful stay within easy reach of the city’s finest attractions. 

Book a stay with us to enjoy a 10% savings on our Best Available Rate, 20% savings on in-room dining, and late check-out till 3.00pm for greater convenience during your stay.

Exclusively for Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Black members, you can redeem a breakfast visit for three to an ethnic park. It’s a Local Experience you won’t want to miss! Not a member yet? Join now and instantly receive Gold status as you begin your journey. When you book direct, you can enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the next room category and late check-out privileges until 3pm, subject to availability.


Read our Destination Insights for more activity recommendations, or send us an enquiry today.